New immigration ruling on provisional waivers: Beware of scams
AFTER the announcement of Department of Homeland Security Secretary Janet Nepolitano on a new ruling (which will give immediate family members of US citizens unlawfully staying in the United States…
Deferred Action for DREAMers-the rules
ON Friday, August 3, 2012 the USCIS issued new guidelines and Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) to clarify the rules and requirements for “Childhood Arrivals” to the US who may benefit…
Debt can lead to being broke at the end of your life
A CLIENT of mine said he never saw it coming. Everything he ever wanted in life, he always purchased on credit. The “pre-approved” credit cards just kept coming in the…
Important Things to Remember about the New I-601A Waiver Process
The details of the DHS Final Rule on Provisional Unlawful Presence Waivers of Inadmissibility for Certain Immediate Relatives, which was published on January 3, 2013 and which take effect on…
Can employees challenge employment documents they signed?
THE common belief is that signing an agreement binds an employee to all the terms in the document. But what if the agreement is illegal or a violation of public…
New California laws for 2013: Part A tax, employment and education
NEW Income Tax and Sales Tax Laws Income tax California’s maximum income tax rate increases from 9.3% to 12.3% for taxpayers with taxable income of more than $250,000. The rate…
2013: The final year of the short sale
I SERIOUSLY thought that our short sale days are really numbered, but base on what analyst and realtors are saying this year we would be flooded with short sale. I…
Readers’ feedback: The need for stricter gun control laws
THE debate continues following the massacre of 20 first graders and six adults in Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut — the tipping point after many other deadly shootings…
Is defalcation by fiduciary dischargeable in bankruptcy?
DEFALCATION is an act of misappropriating funds that were entrusted to a person. The person who is entrusted with the funds is called the fiduciary. For instance, your friend wins…
A Master of All Trades
THEY say if you’re a jack-of-all-trades, you’re a master of none. But Fil-Am Rafael Kayanan is definitely one to dispute that belief. The youthful-looking, 50-year-old Kayanan is a master of…
On grieving the loss of my father
ALTHOUGH my father’s death was inevitable and imminent because of hospice care, it still has been a very difficult and depressing time for us, his children. It’s true what many…
The Efficacy of the Devotion to the Black Nazarene of Quiapo
The Filipinos as Roman Catholic devotees are known to be overly zealous and extremely fanatic. They believe that their intentions will be eventually be answered and rewarded. Being a nation…
The Efficacy of the Devotion to the Black Nazarene of Quiapo
The Filipinos as Roman Catholic devotees are known to be overly zealous and extremely fanatic. They believe that their intentions will be eventually be answered and rewarded. Being a nation…
Jewelry jeopardy
THERE are two oral fashions causing concern for dentists these days: The prevalence of oral piercing, and the application of dental “grills.” Oral piercing, because of the millions of bacteria…
Boni’s 150
As we welcome the birth sesquicentennial of Andres Bonifacio, we will honor a man whose place in our shrine of heroes can come close to that of Jose Rizal (who…
Readers’ feedback: ‘Extreme Hardship Waiver’ for TnTs
ON Saturday, I wrote about the new ruling announced by the Obama Administration last January 2, which reduces the time US citizens are separated from their undocumented, overstaying, or what…
Finally! We can apply for a stateside provisional waiver
QUESTION: I have heard that the regulations for the Stateside Waiver are final. Is that true? Answer: Well, first you musty realize that an applicant for an immigrant visa, adjustment…
Are the products you buy really made in USA?
LOOKING at the new iPad she received last Christmas, a young woman noted that it was “Designed by Apple in California, Assembled in China.” She asked what this meant, was…
601 provisional waiver for unlawful presence a reality
A PROPOSED change in the process of obtaining an I-601 waiver was recently entered in the federal registry and people will be allowed to apply for this provisional waiver beginning…
Debt forgiveness law survives another year!
THE mortgage industry can relax now with the final fiscal cliff deal bringing back a popular tax break on mortgage insurance premiums and debt forgiveness for borrowers who go through…
Extreme hardship waiver: New Year’s gift for many Fil-Am families
THE start of new year has brought forth a new reason for kababayans to look forward to 2013 with a renewed sense of optimism in their seemingly elusive dream of being able…
Honorary Pinoy
FR. JAMES Reuter, SJ may not have been Filipino by blood, but he was definitely Pinoy in heart and mind. The revered and beloved 96-year-old American priest (who was also known for…
Workshop or weekend home does not qualify as homestead
IN California, the equity in your homestead (your residence) is exempt up to a certain amount, depending on your circumstances. For instance, if you are at least 65 years old,…
A New Year, A fresh start with the Gapasins’ 40th wedding anniversary
The New Year ushers limitless possibilities and enormous amounts of positivity that are made even prosperous by the advent of the Chinese New Year and Spring Festival on Sunday, February…
Permanent residency through marriage to US citizen spouse
The economic crisis and changes in immigration legislation has made it more difficult to pursue certain traditional paths to obtaining permanent residency in the United States. Employment based immigration has…
A New Year, A fresh start with the Gapasins’ 40th wedding anniversary
The New Year ushers limitless possibilities and enormous amounts of positivity that are made even prosperous by the advent of the Chinese New Year and Spring Festival on Sunday, February…
Top health issues of 2012
Last month, the world happily welcomed the lucky date 12-12-12. Never again will this triple 12 occur within a thousand years. Also, as our iPhone 5 non-Mayan calendar had predicted,…